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Woodsfield
Village
Admin-istrator Rick Schuerman gave council members an overview
of 2010 at the Jan. 3 regularly scheduled meeting of Woods-fieldVillage
Council.

Schuerman was appointed village administer on Jan. 19, 2010. On
Feb. 4 he faced a tremendous task when the village was hit by a
winter storm. February’s accumulated snow fall reached 40 inches
of the white stuff. “It was a very eventful month,” said Schuer-man,
noting he was busy familiarizing himself with grants and current
projects.

The year continued with progress being made on the carbon
filtration building; finding a vendor for utility and cable
billing system, new traffic lights; completion of the relocation
of utilities at the intersection of Lewisville Road and Sycamore
Street; work on all the fields, the park, the pool through April
which continued through May; starting the Moose Ridge Loop
project; completion of Rubel Lake purchase and water line;
street paving projects; installation of an eight inch water line
from Moose Ridge to new school site; 450 tons of dirt moved in
development of the baseball field; installation of new 18 inch
sanitary and storm separation on Mill Street; grinding and
resurfacing of street projects; cleaning and painting of newly
purchased Masters Garage; relocation work at the new school site
entrance; continued efforts in moving street department
inventory and finishing installation of water line at entrance
of new school site.

According to Schuerman, the new year started with a waterline
break in Riley addition at 1:17 a.m. Jan. 1.

He reported that dismantling of the village building on Airport Road was scheduled to begin;
relocation of the water line and the utilities into the new
school facility, as requested by ODOT, almost complete.

Schuerman asked council members for their prayers for the family
of the late Jim Baker, who passed away recently. Baker was a
member of the Woodsfield VFD for many years.

In the reorganizational session of the meeting, Jeff Cox was
voted council president.

Approval was given for Schuerman to donate 9.30 hours of his
sick time to Crystal Dixon, who is in need of those hours.

Woodsfield Council will meet Tues., Jan. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the
municipal building, which will be closed Jan. 17 in observance
of Martin Luther King Day, Jan. 17.

Legal counsel Bill Frank asked for an executive session in
regard to eminent court action and conveyance of public
property.

The beat goes on. A few weeks ago I mentioned something about
taffy pulls. Guess what? A reader sent me a copy of a page from
a cookbook printed in the ’30s. It had a recipe for six
different kinds of taffy plus toffee whatever that is. I just
thought taffy was taffy.

Two of the recipes called for vinegar, of all things. I would
have never thought of putting vinegar in candy. One called for
only two teaspoons of vinegar, the other for a half a cup. The
reader indicated they liked the vinegar taffy the best and
remembered having taffy pulls at MYF meetings.

The honey taffy appeared to be the easiest. One cup of honey,
one cup of sugar, a few grains of salt boiled to hard boil state
(265º-270º) add butter, let cool and pull until white and
porous. Thought you might be interested.

As easy as it sounds to make different kinds of taffy I doubt if
I’ll be trying to have a taffy pull in
Lewisville. I do appreciate the
information as all I got to do when a kid was pull it and help
eat it. False teeth didn’t bother me then.

I also got a Christmas card that scared me for a second. I
thought my picture was on the front. It was one of those twisted
whiskers kind.

Inside the greeting was written in German. Knowing that I would
not have the slightest ability to translate it he wrote it again
in English. I’m sure he would not object to my passing the
greeting on to my readers. ‘I wish you a merry Christmas and a
good new year.”

Also included was a quote by Douglas Adams “There is a theory
which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the
Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear
and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.

There is another theory which states that this has already
happened.’ Think about it.

One more thing while I’m still in the recipe mood. The day
before Christmas we went to the grocery store to get some stuff
for Christmas dinner, breakfast or whatever. This is a mistake
but you meet a lot of your friends who are doing the same thing.

While running around, looking for something we didn’t need, a
friend told us they had received a jar of Mountain Dew jelly. I
thought here I am one of those persons hooked on Mountain Dew
and I never dreamed you could make jelly using Mountain Dew. I
could have had Mountain Dew jelly on my toast every morning
instead of that gooey old peanut butter. What am I missing?

I kind of forgot about it for a while then decided to try to
find out more about it. I Googled up Mountain Dew jelly and did
I ever get more information about the jelly and Mountain Dew
than I really wanted. I even wondered why I drink the stuff.

I printed a recipe for making the jelly and it said it only
takes 25 minutes. I haven’t mentioned it to you know who. Maybe
some morning I can say, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have some
Mountain Dew jelly on my toast?” Might work, otherwise I’ll
still be using peanut butter.

Enough cooking for one week as I’m just getting over what I call
football weekend. New Year’s Day our TV was turned to a football
game about 1 p.m., I think, and stayed there until way after the
cows came home.

I didn’t watch much of it but I was happy that the team up north
was getting roughed up but felt kind of sorry for them. Only a
couple more to watch, the Super Bowl and BCS championship.

Go Bucks!! The Ohio State Buckeyes won the Super Bowl. I
promised myself I wouldn't get worked up. It didn’t work. I
expect Buckeye fans thought the end of the world had come with
the blocked punt with very little time left. But things worked
out. Someone asked the question, “Did the Buckeyes win the game
or the Razorbacks lost it?” I guess the score answers that
question.

I still would enjoy seeing the band shows at half-time rather
than listening to two or three experts spout off. I wonder how
dumb they think we are. They repeat over and over things that
have happened and tell you this and that, right or wrong and go
on and on and on. We deserve better. Oh well, I guess we can
push the mute button.

U.S. Army General David H. Petraeus, left, lights a candle from
U.S. Army Chaplain Captain Jeff Bernard’s candle during a Dec.
24 candlelight service on Forward Operating Base Shank in
Logar Province,
Afghanistan.

Bernard is in
Afghanistan
ministering to soldiers and doing well. He feels very blessed to
be there because his job is so meaningful and he can help so
many.

The Army Chaplin previously pastored the Chapel Hill, Greenbriar,
Moffet-Fletcher Charge of the UnitedMethodistChurch
in MonroeCounty.

After hearing a news broadcast regarding the
Sardis/ Hannibal and River schools
projects Monday morning, the Beacon contacted George Richardson,
SOLSD administrative assistant, for clarification. He said state
representatives will be on hand at a Tuesday, Jan. 11 meeting
set for 5 p.m. at RiverHigh School.
They are to discuss cost and construction issues. Richardson emphasized that everyone will be
getting their new schools; nobody’s money is being taken away.
There will be information regarding cost issues and adjustments.

Now on with the Jan. 6 SOLSD board meeting ...

Scott Dierkes retained his position as president of the
Switzerland of Ohio Local School District Board Jan. 6 during
the annual organizational meeting, which was held prior to the
board’s regular first January 2011 meeting.

Ed Carleton will hold the position as vice-president of the
board and the monthly scheduled meetings will be held the third
Thursday of each month, 6 p.m., at the board office. Board
member assignments for standing committees will remain the same
as in 2010.

Paul Mock, Southeastern Regional Manager of the Ohio School
Boards Association, presented Ron Winkler with a plaque in
recognition of his service to the association.

Mock also announced that the Powhatan Choir is scheduled to sing
at the OSBA Spring Conference in Coshocton. He praised the
choir’s previous performance at the OSBA Capital Conference in
Columbus
held Nov. 9, 2010.

In public participation, Linda Josefczyk, guidance counselor at RiverHigh School,
questioned the board regarding the renovation time line for
River High. “The teachers need to know,” said Josefczyk, noting
that some of the teachers had packed up various items in their
classrooms. The previous time announced was April, according to
the guidance counselor. This was to be addressed during a
special meeting to be held at
RiverHigh School Jan. 11. (More
on this next week)

Acting as a voice for parents and grandparents at the
Sardis
and Hannibal schools, Charlotte
Wells of Sardis told the board they
are very upset. Everyone was very pleased when Micah Fuchs was
principal, then he was replaced this school year by Clint
Abbott. She said they are very upset that Abbott had been moved
to Woodsfield Elementary when he was doing such a great job of
preparing the students for the combination of the two schools.
“The two schools are in limbo,” Wells said.

A large contingency from the Beallsville schools was present.
After a lengthy executive session called to consider the
appointment of a public employee or official and to consider
matters required to be kept confidential by federal law or
regulations or state statutes, Beallsville High teachers were
called into the executive session. After they left, the board
continued in executive session, with the session extending over
the three hour mark.

After the executive session, Chris Caldwell was hired as
principal for the Sardis and
Hannibal
elementary schools. He takes the position previously held by
Clint Abbott, who replaces Kathyrn Anderson as principal at
Woodsfield Elementary. In an administrative appointment,
Anderson
fills the position as special needs coordinator previously held
by Larry Koslik, who retired.

Caldwell, a 2001 graduate of
BeallsvilleHigh School, is a all
phase special education teacher at Beallsville Elementary. He
earned his degree as intervention specialist at
OhioUniversity in
Athens. He and his wife Erica live near
Lewisville.
Caldwell began
his new position Jan. 10.

“I’m excited about the opportunity,” said
Caldwell. “I hope the community welcomes
me in this change.”

In other business, Erica Beardmore and Erin Jeffers were
approved as substitute teachers. Approval was also given for the
following coaching positions at River
High School: Brent Isaly, junior
high football; Jennifer Stephens, cross country; Zack Blair,
assistant boys’ basketball coach.Dan Bock was approved as a bus
driver for 4.35 hours per day, five days per week.

After the executive session during the Switzerland of Ohio Local
School District’s Jan. 6 meeting, Chris Cald-well was hired as
principal for the Sardis
and Hannibal
elementary schools. Cald-well, a 2001 graduate of BeallsvilleHigh School,
is a special education teacher at Beallsville Elementary and a
graduate of Ohio University Athens.
Caldwell
began his new position Jan. 10.

Switzerland
of Ohio Local School Board Treasurer Janet Hissrich administered
the oath of office to Scott Dierkes, who retained his seat as
president of the SOLSD board during the Jan. 6 reorganizational
meeting.

Photos by Martha Ackerman

Ed
Carleton was sworn in as vice-president of the Switzerland of
Ohio Local School Board Jan. 6. Administering the oath was Janet
Hissrich, district treasurer.

Switzerland
of Ohio Local School District Board Member Ron Winkler accepted
a plaque presented by Paul Mock, Southeast Regional Manager of
the Ohio School Boards Association. The plaque was given in
recognition of Winkler’s service to the association.

At the Jan. 10 meeting of the Monroe County Commissioners the
following appointments were made for the year 2011: commission
president, Carl Davis; vice-president, Tim Price;
commissioner’s clerk Sheila Firm. Firm was hired by the
commissioners to fill the position of former clerk Allyson Cox.
Probationary wage is $10.50 per hour for 180 days. The wage will
increase to $11.50 an hour after the probation period. Jerry
Haney was reappointed as apiary inspector; health commissioner
Linda Dick was appointed to the Child Fatality Board; attorney
Mark Morrison, public defender; county clerk, Brenda Roberts;
county court deputy clerk, Sunessa Miller.

Commissioners also ap-pointed Audrey Lydick to the Workforce
Investment Board, Alan Hamilton for Social Services on the same
board and Laverne Shapley as Youth Council Member to replace
Michael Flannery.

Dan Greenlee, representing Team Monroe, inquired about the
funding for the feasibility study on the access road to the MonroeCountyCommercePark
to State Route 800. The commissioners signed an agreement
promising $2,000 for the study pending the compliance of the
other donors. Team Monroe will complete the
agreement by providing the signatures of the other donors and
presenting it to ODOT.

Terri Knowlton, EMS secretary,
presented the financial report for the month of December. The
report showed a yearly deficit in the general fund of
$12,915.26. Knowlton said this deficit was the result of unpaid
bills for emergency squad runs.

Commission President Carl Davis and Dave Kuhn EMS coordinator
signed a purchase agreement with Horton Emergency Vehicles to
purchase a Horton Model 457 Type1 Ambulance for the Sardis EMS
at the cost of $154,999.45. Sardis EMS also renewed their $200 a
month one-year lease on the building that houses their
equipment.

The Monroe County Commissioners will continue to hold their
regular meetings at 9 a.m. on Mondays except for holidays when
they will meet on Tuesday.

The courthouse will be closed Monday, Jan. 17 in observance of
Martin Luther King Day. The Commissioners will meet Jan. 18 at 9
a.m.

In light of the Channel 9 news broadcasts, this letter has been
sent to the Beacon and we feel another voice should be heard. --
m.a.

Society's crippling fear of kitchen utensils.

Concerning the incident with the “weapons”.

As many of you know, I usually don’t say much. :)

But if I was to be permitted or asked to speak on this matter,
it would be something like this:

I don’t know all details…I don’t know all the parties involved.
This may be conducive to seeing the “big picture”. What I DO
know is that a man named Delmas Moore is at the center of this.
I consider Delmas a friend to me and a best friend to our
community. So here is MY opinion. (And contrary to what people
say, but know its not true; I DO care what people think of me.)

Mr. Moore has been a teacher at Beallsville since Jesus was in
kindergarten. He probably taught him History! Seriously though,
he also is or has been a coach, an athletic director, a mentor,
community organizer, father, son, brother, husband, and probably
a many other things that a society uses to measure the worth of
a person. And if it’s worth we are going to measure, then most
of us, me included, couldn’t sum all our worth and even come
close to Delmas Moore. He is truly an honorable man.

So now, some of the people in the community want to tarnish this
man’s impeccable career with some claims of a version or
interpretation of the law. And for what? Is it so he won’t do it
again? Do what again? What is it that these people are trying to
accomplish? What did or does Delmas do to incur this wrath?

Well…all I can tell you is what I see that he does; He teaches,
nurtures, supports, watches over, and protects the kids of this
community everyday. He raises money so that the sports that
you’re children (and you) love(d) to play doesn’t cost the
parents a second mortgage. From what I see, Delmas Moore’s
existence centers on his love for his school and community and
its youth. I know….I know…”Its his job!” Well he could just as
easily go home after school is out and spend time with his wife
or do the things that he loves. Wait a minute…he already does
what he loves…he is an active and critical member of BeallsvilleHigh School . Are any of you going to
make sure the gym floor is mopped and ready for the basketball
games? Are any of you going to foot the bill for sporting goods
and not say a word because some family couldn’t afford it? If
so…step right up! Let’s see it. Let’s see how many are willing
to sacrifice their night at the Legion or Malaga to prepare and organize clean up after
any and all sporting events. I’m positive that Mr. Moore would
love some help. In my opinion, he doesn’t get paid enough for
all the things he does.

And now…during the last years of a career that he has dedicated
his life to, there are some that would like to see him retire in
shame or even liked to see him get no retirement at all. Has our
community finally become part of the world we see on the nightly
news? A community that no longer sees kitchen knifes as kitchen
knifes but as weapons? When is enough fear…enough? You know why
these kitchen knifes are now considered weapons? BECAUSE
WE…”SOCIETY”… HAS DEFINED THEM AS SUCH! If the terrorists of
9/11 had taken their boot laces and strangled the pilots…guess
what?...You’d be wearing nothing but Crocs on your next flight
and your kids would possibly have to wear them and only them to
school. Come on people…lets stop this ridiculous over analyzing
of every single thing and then applying one and only one law or
rule. Some things should just go without saying. Kitchen
knives?....I remember taking a baseball bat to school. Pair me
and that ball bat up against someone with a kitchen knife…and
I’ll show you who has a weapon.

Are you people seriously wanting to lynch a man who has served
his community in some form or another his entire life? If you
are, then please tell me who you are. I don’t hate you, I am not
mad at you, and I respect your opinion. But I certainly do not
want to associate with you in any way, shape or form. Because if
you are so quick to turn on a man like Delmas Moore…then you
would not even blink an eye to seek out my many faults (which
are too numerous to mention), and throw me under the “Bus” (pun
intended).

ROSEMARY
SAFFLERosemary Saffle, 83, Woodsfield, passed away Jan. 6,
2011 at WheelingHospital.
She was born July 1, 1927 in Woodsfield, a daughter of the late
David H. and Gail M. Hoover Saffle.

She lived all her life in Woodsfield except for 21 years in Wilmington. She worked for Mabel Gillespie’s
Grocery Store for 20 years, the M&K Store and a couple of other
grocery stores in Woodsfield. She was a member of the Woodsfield
Church of Christ where she helped as a Sunday School teacher and VacationBibleSchool teacher.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two
brothers, Raymond and Richard Saffle.

Friends were received Jan. 9 at Bauer-Turner Funeral Home,
Woodsfield, where funeral services were held Jan. 10, with Chuck
Schultheisz officiating. Burial followed in
OaklawnCemetery, Woodsfield.

Condolences can be expressed at www.bauerturner.com.

RODNEY L. REED Rodney L. Reed, 86, Summit Acres Nursing Home,
Caldwell, formerly of Summerfield, died Jan. 6, 2011 at the
nursing home. He was born Feb. 20, 1924 near Summerfield, a son
of the late Charles Raymond Reed and Floral Rose Morrison Reed.

He was a retired rural mail carrier for the Summerfield Post
Office with 28 years of service. He was a member of the
EastUnionUnitedMethodist
Church; a U.S. Coast Guard veteran of WWII; a
member of the Rural Mail Carriers Association; a member of the
American Legion Post 415, Summerfield; former sexton of the
EasternCemetery, Summerfield; and
a former treasurer of the Summerfield Volunteer Fire Dept.

Surviving are a niece, Judy Blackstone of Summerfield.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a
brother, Franklin Reed.

Friends were received until time of service Jan. 9 at Brubach-Watters
Funeral Home, Summerfield, with Pastor Thurman Harmon
officiating. Burial followed in EasternCemetery, Summerfield.

Military services were conducted by the Noble County Veterans
Council.

BEATRICE
G. FLYNNBeatrice G. Flynn, 85, Woodsfield, died Jan. 6, 2011 at OhioValleyMedical
Center, Wheeling. She was born June
2, 1925 in West
Virginia, a daughter of the late Robert
and Adele Waggle Shaw.

She was known as Bea by her friends and family. Bea enjoyed
crocheting, cooking and baking. She was a lifelong member of the
Woodsfield Church of Christ.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her
husband of 41 years, Charles W. Flynn, Sr.

Friends were received Jan. 8 at Bauer-Turner Funeral Home,
Woodsfield, where funeral services were held Jan. 9, with Keith
Jones officiating. Burial was in OaklawnCemetery, Woodsfield.

Condolences can be expressed at: www.bauerturner.com

CARL
RICHARD ADYCarl Richard Ady, 58, Cameron, died Jan. 3, 2011 at
Woodsfield Nursing and RehabilitationCenter. He was born June 30, 1952 in
Cameron, a son of the late Charles William and Margaret (Maggie)
Catherine Vaness Ady.

He worked at Barefoot Sole in
Wadsworth
for 15 years. After retiring he returned to Cameron and became a
farmer where he lived until his passing.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a
grandson, Christen Alexander Ady; and a nephew, Charles Michael
Hoke.

Friends were received Jan. 5 at Bauer-Turner Funeral Home,
Woodsfield, where funeral services were held Jan. 6, with Keith
Jones officiating. Burial was in CameronCemetery.

Condolences can be expressed at: www.bauerturner.com

FRANK
GULBRANDSENFrank E. Gulbrandsen, 74, Graysville, passed away
peacefully Jan. 3, 2011 in Cleveland. He was born
Feb. 19, 1936 in Groton,
Connecticut, a son of the late Einar and Olive Berg
Gulbrandsen.

He was a retired Union Electrician and a proud member of the
Masons and Shriners, the Moose Lodge and a member of the Monroe
County Airport Board. He was active in supporting charities
backed by the Shriners, especially those helping children.

Surviving are his wife of 19 years, Eveline Gulbrandsen of
Graysville; daughter, Lori (Chuck) Gary of Maryland; son, Frank,
Jr., of Florida; five grandchildren, Frankie, Cody,
Alexander, Dorian, Noah, and a host of friends throughout our
community and country.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a
brother, Dennis Eugene Gulbrandsen.

Friends were received Jan. 7 at Bauer-Turner Funeral Home,
Woodsfield, where funeral services were held Jan. 8, with Rev.
William Moran officiating. Burial was in PleasantRidgeCemetery
near Graysville.

DANIEL
R. ISCHY Daniel R. Ischy, age 79, of
Ischy RoadSardis, died Monday Jan. 10, 2011
at the WetzelCountyHospital,
New Martinsville, W.Va. He was born in MonroeCountyOct. 23, 1931, a son of
the late Henry F. and Louisa M. Straub Ischy.

He was retired from Ormet
Corp. Hannibal, and was a lifelong farmer. He was a member of
the Moffett-FletcherMethodist
Church
and a member of the
LaingsCommunity Center .

He is survived by two sons: John (Maria P.) Ischy and Tim Ischy
of Sardis, both of Sardis; two daughters; Dawn Ischy of Sardis,
and Beth (Merrill) Wymer of St. Clairsville; one brother; Tom
(Dianne) Ischy of Nashport, Ohio; three grandchildren: John
David (Jessica) Ischy, Josh (Dana) Ischy, and Matt Ischy; one
great- grandson: Daniel Zane Ischy; brother-in-law: George Bud
(Patty) Herndon of West Liberty, Ohio; sisters-in-law: Barbara
(Wilbur) Jeffers of Woodsfield and Sara (Paul) Kraft of Laings;
several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife; Mary E. Herndon Ischy,
Aug. 11, 1997.

Friends will be received from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan.
14, and from 10 a.m. until time of funeral service at 1 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 15 at the Bauer-Turner Funeral Home, 100 S. Paul
St. Woodsfield. Interment in the OaklawnCemetery Woodsfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to
Moffett-FletcherMethodist
Church
and/or the American Cancer Society.